John Oliver offers an emotional tribute to Orlando following the mass shootingYoutube screen grab/Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

John Oliver's Last Week Tonight show most often kick starts with a snarky joke about the recent headlines, but on 12 June, the talk show host began his segment with a special tribute to the people of Orlando, following the terrorist attack at the LGBTQ nightclub Pulse, which resulted in the death of 50 people.

No music heralded the start of the show and neither were there any credits. Introducing himself, Oliver began: "As I'm sure you know by now, at least 50 people were killed by a gunman at a gay nightclub in what is being described as a terrorist attack. And look, it's still early and details are still emerging, and right now, this just hurts."

Remaining somber through the cold open, he continued, "And the worst thing is this pain is so familiar. In Paris last November, terrorists seemed to target places symbolising everything that is wonderful about France—culture, music, restaurants. And in Orlando earlier this morning, a gunman attacked a Latin night at a gay club in the theme park capital of the world."

Taking on a lighter tone he added, "And for the record, I will happily embrace a Latin night at a gay club at the theme park capital of the world as the ultimate symbol about what is truly wonderful about America."

Moving on to a video shared on Twitter, Oliver showed another reason why he thought America was wonderful.